Portland

4 years ago we were exploring Portland, OR with a newborn.  Who knew we'd be exploring Portland of the opposite coast with two toddlers come October 2016?!

We had such a great experience in Ogunquit last weekend that we decided to make back-to-back weekend trips to Maine so that we could check out Portland.  The drive was a bit further, but still completely do-able as a day trip from our house in Southern NH.

As soon as the kids woke up in the morning, we hit the road.  Less than 2 hours later we'd arrived in Portland.  We parked the car near the shipping docks and Bryon ran off in search of breakfast (at a place I'd already picked out) while I took Maksim and Deklan to purchase some ferry tickets.

Bryon's destination?  Portland's renowned Holy Donut.  Bryon and the boys LOVE donuts.  And these donuts are made with fresh, local ingredients that surprisingly aren't all that bad for you (considering they're donuts).  The secret ingredient?  Fresh Maine (mashed) potatoes!

Potato donuts!

Bryon selected 6 different flavors - Chai Glazed, Maple Bacon, Sea Salt, Cinnamon Sugar, Chocolate Cake and Ginger.  I can't really remember much about them - except for the fact that I was able to eat exactly 1/2 of ONE donut before the remainder were entirely inhaled by the rest of my crew.  Breakfast of champions!

2.0 seconds before those donuts were annihilated.

We ate our breakfast while aboard a mail ferry.  For a small fare, we were able to cruise around Casco Bay via a courier fleet that hops around five of the islands delivering postal services to locals who reside on them.  We were happy to have avoided to typical touristy boat tours and enjoyed the nearly 3 hour scenic tour of such unique coastal communities!

Once back ashore we quickly grabbed lunch.  Unfortunately, EVERYBODY was out and about and the restaurants we'd intended on scoping out had nearly 2 hour wait times!  We caught a bite at a local brewery and made it back to the docks in time for another afternoon ferry.

I'm on a boat!

After a short 15-minute ride across the bay, we arrived at Peaks Island.  Can you believe that local children on the island (which has residents year round, in contrast to some of the neighboring islands which are strictly seasonal due to utility hookups) arrive at 6am each morning to catch a ferry across the bay in order to hop on a school bus and attend school in Portland?  Anyhow, we rented a golf cart and spent the remainder of the afternoon driving around the small island, stacking rocks along the shore, watching sailboats passing by, catching glimpses of lighthouses in the distance and playing on short stretches of sandy beach.  Bryon and I both agreed that we will be looking into a VRBO on one of the islands come next summer!

Watch out, world!  I wouldn't trust any of these 3.

Stacking rocks.

Mr. Stitches and I hanging back on the hillside.

Upon landing back in Portland, we grabbed some food and drinks at Novare Res.  This was the perfect end (nightcap for Bryon) to our trip.  It was a welcoming beer garden with long beechwood tables set up both indoors and out.  We grabbed a spot outside and the boys ran around playing with about 6 other children while adults conversed, drank and played lawn games.  The boys had a blast and fit in just as well as the rest of the adult crowd!  With more than 300 beers to choose from, Bryon was quite pleased with our final stop, too!

Wanted a "pony" just like his big brother.

Maine definitely hasn't disappointed me thus far.  Although this is likely to be the end of our Maine adventures for this season, I'm excited to plan a trip to Bar Harbor come warmer weather in 2017!

Exploring the Maine-land

I've wanted to take a trip to Maine ever since my mom would read "Blueberries for Sal" to me as a little girl.  I just never realized I'd live THIS. FAR. NORTH.  Who knew the Maine/New Hampshire border was just an hour away?

It's not exactly blueberry picking season anymore, but there's still plenty else to do in Maine.  I planned a day trip to Ogunquit, ME & Portsmouth, NH - and am so glad I did.

Ogunquit, ME

Ogunquit means "beautiful place by the sea" and it couldn't ring more true.  Although it's still taking me some time to understand the point of going to a beach that isn't sandy, sunny and WARM...well, Ogunquit makes this trend a little bit easier to comprehend.  Plus, we landed some mid-70's sunshine.  Win!

Marginal Way

This little town seemed quiet and quaint, but as the morning hours neared noon it was bustling with people.  Tourists out to see the sights, locals chatting at corner coffee shops, artists sketching along the seashore, runners making their way up/down the coastline trails - so picturesque.  We walked Marginal Way and I was absolutely blown away with the views.  The trail itself wasn't long; 1.25 miles in it's entirety.  However, we spent our whole morning strolling along the pavement, climbing down the rocky hillside and gazing out into the horizon.  Unequivocal coastal New England.

The world is your oyster, buddy. 

Skipping rocks. 

As the saying goes...Maine is all about the 3 L's - lobster, lighthouses and LL Bean (that's actually 4 L's for anybody who's counting).  Believe it or not, I'd never had a lobster roll - and neither had Bryon.  When in Maine...  For now I'll just say it was worth a try.  And I'll probably be a good sport and try it one more place in the Northeast before I give my final verdict.

For all those wondering - yes, Bryon is wearing pants.

Next stop was the beach.  It was a quick stop, too.  Actually, I was the only person who got out of the car.  Beautiful beach, but the weather was just too cool and windy.  Everybody relaxing in the sand was wearing hoodies and sitting in lawn chairs!  That'll take some getting used to.  The salty air was nice and there's just something so satisfying about being on the water - I'd have brought a good book and parked it for the afternoon if I didn't have my littles in tow.  But the truth is, my boys wouldn't quite understand a trip to the beach without board shorts & boogie boards!  We'll try it again in the peak of next summer's heat!

There's something about this kid and sailboats.

On the lookout.

A short drive to Portsmouth and we were back to playing tourists.  Maksim and Deklan spent a good hour riding their bikes around Prescott Park.  We made our way through the massive flower gardens and just wasted time.  Then we were off to watch the tugboats and grab an afternoon snack & flight of sampler beers at a local brewery.  Bonus: we were back home by dinnertime.

Northeast or Southeast, you can't keep these kids from the salty shores.

BUT...what's a day of adventure without a trip to the ER?  Seriously, we made it 4.5 years into parenthood with 2 rambunctious boys before our first stitches episode.  Deklan was running around the kitchen table and took a corner a bit too tightly, clipping it just above his brow line.

Assessing the situation. 

All smiles at triage.

Relaxing.

Dek was such a trooper.  He cried a bit when he hit his head, but it was a blunt force cut that folded back upon itself, so the bleeding was pretty minor for a head wound.  He calmly ate the dinner we'd been preparing before we all loaded up in the car to head to the hospital.  Bryon was going to take Deklan singlehandedly (I'm ok with most things, but when it comes to my own children my stomach is a bit less cast-iron), but Maksim was surprisingly concerned about the wellbeing of his little brother.  In all honestly, I'm grateful that this happened on a Saturday evening when Bryon was in town.  I'd rather not have tackled the ER with both children solo.  So, we all went.  I had Maksim step out of the room when they came in to numb and stitch the wound.  Partly for Maksim's best interest, partly for Deklan's best interest, and partly for mine.  Maks doesn't have any negative association with hospitals to date (actually, he has no association whatsoever).  Deklan would fare much better with the sting of the lidocaine if he didn't see me unable to console him throughout the discomfort.  And me?  Well, I volunTOLD Bryon for the job.  From what I hear, after the initial shot, it was smooth sailing for Deklan.  The detour made for a long night, but 2 hours and 4 stitches later everybody was tucked in bed and fast asleep.

Bruiser.

I vote for a quiet day at home tomorrow!  Or at the very least, a day with NO RUNNING IN THE HOUSE!  Will they ever learn?!

First month as a family of 4

I'm still playing catch-up with this blog.  I have a feeling I am playing catch-up in all aspects of my life right now.  So, please bear with me!  Let's rewind to February.

Deklan's first month with our family took off from the get-go.  Our first outing was when he was only a day and a half old!  (I told you there was zero recovery necessary following this delivery!)  We all ventured to Maks' Music Together class and spent 45 minutes singing and dancing.  Maks was sure to check on his baby brother multiple times throughout the session.  Deklan had other plans - like sleeping.

zzz...

At just 6 days old, Deklan had his very first visitors - Bryon's Uncle Clayton and Aunt DeEtte.  He stayed awake along enough to say hello, take a few photos and go for a walk along Bayshore Linear Park.  Actually, he fell asleep after only walking half a block; he just couldn't resist the comfort of Uncle Clayton's arms!

For a solid ten days, Maks was thrilled to have his daddy around to take part in his daily adventures.  I'd live for days with Dada too, if this is how they always looked...

A red velvet crinkle cookie pit stop is NOT what I had in mind when I asked them to pick up bagels from Panera for breakfast.

To celebrate being an entire week old, Deklan ventured out with Maks to see the MacDill Fire Station. 

"Red Truck.  Whoo-whoo!"

Still smiling after having sat in the driver's seat!

"Fire trucks make me sleepy."

Here's Maks and his Daddy soaking up the final days of paternity leave.

Bryon has taught Maks to call for the fish.  "Here, fishy-fishy!"

10 days came and went extremely quickly.  Little Mr. woke up and started searching the house for his Dada.  He wasn't happy about the whole "Daddy had to go back to work" excuse.

Front porch swingin'.

At two weeks old, we headed down to Apollo Beach to help celebrate Clayton's birthday.  Maks spent the entire day running up and down the dock, helping daddy fish and playing with relatives.  After a 5 hour nap, Deklan decided it was time to wake up and briefly introduce himself to the birthday party guests before dozing off again.  He got more than his share of kisses and snuggles.

2nd cousins having fun in the hammock.

The man of the day.  Happy Birthday, Clayton!

Thanks to Naomi for taking some photos!  I rarely am in photos because I'm the one taking them!  I love this one!

I was lucky enough to have my own relatives in town visiting during February as well!  After having spent some time in Fort Meyers, my Aunt Barb and Uncle Norm traveled a couple hours north and rented a beachfront condo in St. Petersburg for a few more weeks.  Over the course of their stay all 3 of my cousins also came to visit.  Although they visited at different times, I was fortunate enough to see each and every one of them!

Best seat on the beach.

Maks was thrilled after his first day with Aunt Barb.  In fact, she made such a lasting impression that "Baab" is the very first name he's said (aside from Mama and Dada).  I can't blame him either...play in the sand, splash in the waves, take a dip in the pool, eat yummy treats (he even had his very first ice cream cone!), REPEAT...she always ensured he was having a great time!  Actually, driving home at the end of each day was traumatic for him.  And the first thing he said in the morning when I would get him out of bed was, "Baab?!?"

"Ready?  Go!"

The rest of the month was spent settling into our new normal.  Brotherly love is already developing.  Cases in point - 

A changing pad hug and kiss for Deklan.  2 boys under 2 years old - both with dry diapers.  WIN!

A lazy day with all 3 of my "kids"!  (Don't worry.  They made room for Kira shortly after this photo was taken.)

And the kisses continue...

By the time Deklan was 3 weeks old, he had also been to one of the country's top rated beaches.  Siesta Key was gorgeous.  It was wonderful to get out of Tampa and explore another nearby gem.

1 sweetly sleeping on the beach while the other splashes in the Gulf.

It's hard to believe that in a year there will be a 3rd little man running alongside these two!

Finding a happy medium between sleep and play for both boys has been my greatest struggle.  I'm kind of a stickler for getting adequate nap time in each and every day.  And, as I've stated before, Deklan sleeps A LOT...

Therefore, I've made the executive decision to allow Maks to ride his bike in the house while we're stuck inside...

Although we still venture to the park whenever we get the chance!

Playtime at the park for Maksim.  Naptime in the sun for Deklan.  Ocean view for Mama.

"Impossible is nothing."  -Muhammad Ali

Here's Deklan celebrating his 1 month birthday - with an 11 hour night of sleep and one of his daytime naps lasting 5 hours!

"See ya in March!"

Hello, Baby Deklan!

If only I'd have known how soon after my last post our "littlest" baby was going to arrive.

Where is the pause button?!

I wish moments like these lasted a lifetime.

Deklan Everett Kroger made his grand debut on January 28th at 3:50pm.  Born at 39 weeks, he was tiny to us.  That being said, big brother Maks didn't exactly give us a typical baseline to judge newborn size!  Outside of being ready to be done with pregnancy, I'm glad Deklan came ahead of schedule.  If he'd have waited until 41 weeks, he'd likely have been just as big - if not bigger - than his older brother was!  

Here's how Deklan measured up:
9#13oz (after having gone to the bathroom, mind you...Maks was 11#2oz)
21.5" long (same as Maksim) 
14" head (an inch smaller than Maks' - thank goodness!)

His labor and delivery story is kind of fun!

Deklan Everett Kroger

Maksim/Deklan comparison on their birthdays.

I woke up around 1am on the 28th just knowing my water was about to break.  It didn't actually rupture, but as soon as I woke I had a small leak.  Although contractions hadn't started, I wanted to give my midwife the head's up, as I knew labor would be in the relatively near future.  I went back to bed, trying to rest up.  I had a few contractions here and there, but by 3am they were obsolete and I fell back asleep until it was time to wake Maks up at 7am.

Here I am - in labor!

We got Maks up and going through his typical morning routine.  My midwife suggested at walk to try and initiate labor, so we headed out on a 1.5 mile walk to the grocery store to get Maks a special treat.  Afterall, this was going to be his last morning as an only child!  At the grocery store, an employee asked me when I was due.  I wanted to respond with a matter-of-fact, "I'm in labor right now!" but I knew he'd have looked at me as if to say, "You've clearly never had a baby before if you think you're in labor!".  After trekking back home and completing a 3 mile round-trip walk, contractions still hadn't started.

I was feeling fine - calm and content.  Bryon and I went about accomplishing some daily tasks.  I vacuumed the house to keep active and occupied.  Bryon ran around playing with Maks and Kira.  As time passed, I remember Bryon commenting, "This is how everyone should labor!".  (Of course he would say that!  How difficult is labor and delivery for him?!)  I have to agree, though.  It was so stress-free to be at home.  No time schedule, no finding a babysitter, no packing a birthing bag.  Bryon was relaxed, and so was I.  It almost didn't seem like I'd be having a baby within...minutes, hours, a few days???  As time passed, I decided to climb into bed and try to get some rest.  If this delivery was anything like that of my first child's, I'd be needing all the energy I could muster.

I downloaded a contraction timer app on my phone and listened to some relaxation CD's.  There was no real pattern to my contractions, which were relatively mild.  My midwife had requested to be contacted after I'd experienced a solid hour of contractions that were 1 minute long and 5 minutes apart.  This pattern was just not happening.

Swinging the day away with Daddy - just hours before the arrival of his little brother.

Maks and Bryon were in and out of our bedroom.  They stopped in to see me every now and then and Maks could climb onto the bed and bounce all over the place (typical Maks!).  When my contractions became consistent enough to time, they were long, strong and close together.  Bryon came into the bedroom to time them for me - approximately 45 seconds long and about 3 minutes between them.  He stated that he wasn't going to wait for them to be like this for an hour, and called the midwife.

Bryon couldn't have been any more right.  It was 2pm when my contractions really started/we called the midwife.  At 3:48 I remember telling Bryon that our baby was coming!  It was kind of scary because I had no idea how far I'd progressed, if at all.  You know, you feel like you're 10cm, but you very well could only be at 2!  Regardless, I announced that I was going to push.  In all honesty, there wasn't any stopping what was going to happen!  One push and I delivered our baby up to his waist.  Another push and we had a squirmy boy on our hands - literally!

That's really all it took.  Less than 2 hours of contractions/labor.  2 minutes (just 2 pushes) for delivery.  

Oh, and you might be wondering about our midwife.  Well, she didn't make it in time.  Yes, that's right.  Bryon calmly delivered (hey, I delivered) our baby boy.  I can distinctly remember feeling as though I'd delivered the head, but Bryon didn't comment, so I wasn't sure.  That's because he was busy staying calm and unwrapping the cord from his neck!  I had no idea.  One more push and Bryon was placing a little boy on my chest - all while corralling Maks and keeping him entertained.  Of course, Maks was right up on the bed ready to welcome his baby brother into the family within a few minutes.

Here's a little look into our first moments with Deklan:

This was such a different experience than my labor and delivery with Maks.  It was quicker and much more tolerable.  I still cannot believe it.  Most importantly, there was literally zero recovery time necessary.  So unreal!  Deklan (who didn't have a name until he was a few days old) soaked with me in the tub while Bryon put Maks to sleep for the night.  We ate dinner, swaddled our babe and got a solid night of sleep!

Speaking of zzz's, this baby boy is a professional.  He sleeps, and Sleeps and SLEEPS some more!  (These photos are all from his first week with us!)

Sweet, sweet dreaming.

Snug as a bug.

"This big, big world is tiring!"

Cozy in his Moses basket.

Welcome to the family, baby Deklan.  We're so happy you're here!

Oh, the boys in my house!

Newborn snuggles.